RECAP: Rochester 18 - Boston 8

The Rochester Rattlers (10-4) finished the regular season on top of the standings with a convincing 18-8 win over the Boston Cannons (6-8). The Rattlers earn the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and will host the Ohio Machine on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 3 p.m. at Wegman’s Stadium in Rochester.

The Cannons were able to draw first blood when Matt Striebel scored an unassisted goal just a minute into the game. That goal would prove to be the only for the Cannons in the first as Rochester went on a five goal scoring streak that started with Dave Lawson. Miles Thompson and Jordan Wolf would each contribute two goals to end the first with Rochester up 5-1.

The second quarter started off with a bang as Donny Moss netted a big two pointer for the Rattlers to increase their lead to 7-1. Stephen Berger answered back to end the Cannons scoring drought 17 minutes after their last goal. Lawson was quick to respond with another tally. Thompson continued the Rochester onslaught with back-to-back goals, followed by goals from Kyle Denhoff and John Ranagan to end the first half up 12-2.

The third quarter proved to be a lot slower for both the Cannons and the Rattlers. Thompson netted his fifth of the night, but the Cannons were able to recover from yet another scoreless drought of 15 minutes with Rob Emery and Berger. Rattler Mike Lazore answered with what would end up being the last to goal in the third, ending it at 14-4 for Rochester.

Rochester opened up the fourth with a goal from rookie Mark Cockerton before Boston was able to answer back with goals from Ryan Boyle and Berger again. Cockerton added another goal to break the short-lived Boston run before Striebel notched his second of the evening for the Cannons. Mitch Belisle, sporting a short stick for the first time this season, netted the final goal of the evening after a run upfield from the defensive end to get the crowd on their feet despite the 18-8 final score.

Thompson led the Rattlers with five goals and one assist for six points in total. Jordan Wolf (2g 3a) and Dave Lawson (3g 2a) each added five points for Rochester as well. John Ortolani was 12 for 28 on faceoffs against Craig Bunker. John Galloway had 15 saves in net before Jason LaShomb hoped in goal and notched four saves of his own. On the Cannons side, Berger led the team with three goals while Striebel and Boyle contributed two each. Jordan Burke had five saves on 16 shots before rookie, Austin Kaut subbed in and nabbed eight saves on 14 shots.

Rochester now hosts the Ohio Machine next Saturday at 3 p.m. ET at Wegman’s Stadium. The game will be part of a CBS Sports Network Playoff double header and will be followed by the Denver Outlaws – New York Lizards semifinal at 5:30 p.m. ET from Denver.

Game Notes

-Miles Thompson earned Coca-Cola Player of the Game honors with his impressive performance of five goals and one assist to lead the Rattlers to victory.

-Rochester has given Boston the worst first halves of their season holding them to one goal the first time they faced off in Week 2 and two goals in Week 14